Anyone have any issues with the South Bend 1947-ok-hd throw out bearing?

[Motorhead]

Gathering any extra parts such as a new clutch fork and pivot before the SBC 1947-ok-hd clutch install. I have questions about the throw out bearing. It looks to be a CHINESE made bearing. I am very sceptical about ANY Chinese bearing or part for that matter. Seen too many failures and have been around a lot of years BEFORE all the Chinese crap flooded the markets. I want to have the clutch last without having to pull the trans prematurely just to change out a throw out bearing. FWIW, I never sit at a stop holding the clutch in. Always neutral, clutch out.

 

[Regcabguy]

Time to give SBC a ring. I use the same procedure at a stop light/sign.

 

[Motorhead]

I called twice today and Greg was, according to his recorder message, helping another customer. I left my number, waited until around 2pm Pacific time and never heard back or no message.I'll call back tomorrow. From the part number on the cellophane bag the bearing came in, I looked it up online and it referenced some Chinese company that makes replacement auto parts. I'd rather BUY another T.O. bearing that I knew where it was made than a China bearing.

 

[HHhuntitall]

^^ ditto. Give them a call and tell them your concerns. They won't leave you hanging, I wager. FWIW, I've installed quite a few of these clutches, and never had any of the pilot bearings last less then 100k miles.....

And a parting thought on the bearing.... if it's built to the customer's specs with good grease, it might be worth the money.... Just a thought.... Certainly as good as anything you can get at Autozone or Oreilly's....

 

[Motorhead]

I am not worried about the pilot bearing as the one supplied is a Japanese bearing.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Typo. I meant throwout bearing. Although, the South Bend pilot bearings last a long time, too. I don't recall any of them that weren't used in racing that have failed. Even reused some after exploding input shafts.... Anyway, sorry, didn't mean to add to the confusion...

 

[Motorhead]

No problem.... I checked the pilot bearing first. I had a pilot needle bearing fail on me once when I was 230 miles from home in a VW diesel I owned. Locked up solid and drove the trip home without a clutch.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My SBC is fairly new and I seem to have some bearing noise.

 

[KATOOM]

Gathering any extra parts such as a new clutch fork and pivot before the SBC 1947-ok-hd clutch install. I have questions about the throw out bearing. It looks to be a CHINESE made bearing. I am very sceptical about ANY Chinese bearing or part for that matter. Seen too many failures and have been around a lot of years BEFORE all the Chinese crap flooded the markets. I want to have the clutch last without having to pull the trans prematurely just to change out a throw out bearing. FWIW, I never sit at a stop holding the clutch in. Always neutral, clutch out.

Yes, I had problems with my Southbend throwout bearing. It wasnt a full blown failure either, but rather it started sticking to the input propeller shaft as I depressed the clutch pedal, and transmitting a vibration up through the clutch pedal when the clutch was pressed. Only having the new clutch in for about 5000 miles, I wasnt happy at all. So I pulled the transmission back and replaced the OEM replica throwout bearing SB provided in their kit with an SKF. The ONLY American made throwout bearing I could find. Even Timken is hecho en China. NAPA had the SKF, and it was anything but cheap. Costing about $120, this puppy is pricey, but in my opinion well worth the cost. After installing the SKF the clutch pedal is butter smooth and no more vibration transmitted through the pedal anymore.....

I also had this very conversation with Southbend too over the phone and through the forums. I understand that they're working with SKF to see if they can provide them with throwout bearings from now on.

 

[Motorhead]

THANKS! I found the SKF online and have the part number. How long ago did you talk to them about this?

 

[KATOOM]

I talked with them about it over the phone sometime last year, and the conversation again in a forum around a couple months ago. If I remember right, they were still working to see if SKF could supply their needs. You may want to call and talk to Peter about this and see what he has to say. At least let him know that you've had throwout bearing issues and you'll be installing an SKF.

 

[NIsaacs]

Several years ago my son lost a throwout bearing early in a South Bend street twin disc in his '06, he sourced a local bearing and it was fine until he traded it.

I am not sure about now, but two years ago I helped my brother install a OK HD in an '09 Dodge and in his F-450, both times we used the OEM pressure plate bolts, the bolts supplied in the kit looked suspect.

Nick

 

[Regcabguy]

I talked with them about it over the phone sometime last year, and the conversation again in a forum around a couple months ago. If I remember right, they were still working to see if SKF could supply their needs. You may want to call and talk to Peter about this and see what he has to say. At least let him know that you've had throwout bearing issues and you'll be installing an SKF.

I've noticed that I've developed peddle resonance when I depress it. Sometimes nothing at all, silky smooth. My OKHD has about 25K on it.

 

[Motorhead]

I called SB Clutch back for the third time today and found out that the throw out bearing is a Chinese part. I expressed that SB clutch has a good reputation on the TDR and to save a few bucks on a cheap throw out bearing isn't right. I said I would rather pay a few bucks more for a domestic or brand name bearing. The TO Bearing turns all the time as it is always right next to the diaphragm fingers on our hydraulic clutches. We all need to email our concerns. I told them that SB Clutch is good about replacing a defective part usually no charge but the don't cover the labor to R&R a trans and transfer case. I'm sourcing a SKF TO brng. SAD!

 

[Motorhead]

The SKF TO brng is made by Timken. The Timken number is 614070. I PERSONALLY called Timken and asked about the country of origin for this bearing. The person looked it up by their part number and said "USA" Hooray! I ordered one from Rock Auto and with the 5% off coupon it was $44.00 plus $7.99 shipping. I will post the results when I get it.

 

[NIsaacs]

The SKF TO brng is made by Timken.

Are you sure? Per Wikipedia, SKF is the largest bearing supplier in the world, based in Sweden, Timken is global and based in Ohio. Neither company mentions the other.

Nick

 

[Motorhead]

Nick, My bad for taking what someone posted on another Cummins website as gospel. I DID see it twice about Timken making at least the T.O. Bearing. Could be the truth or B.S.
I did take apart the one supplied from South Bend and there was not any manufacturer marks anywhere on any part of the bearing.
Manufactured by the "No Name Bearing and Noodle Company - China". #@$%!

 

[Northfork]

Motorhead my son is about to do a clutch in his 05 with a G-56. He bought the Southbend kit from Summit, so he no doubt has the china bearing. if the one you listed above doesn't turn out to be US made and you are able to source a legit US made TO bearing please post the part number, We wont be doing this until March, but I know he would prefer an American bearing.
And...I will be letting SB know my feelings on Chinese no-name bearings.

 

[Motorhead]

I WILL post what I receive on the T.O. Bearing.

 

[NIsaacs]

Nick, My bad for taking what someone posted on another Cummins website as gospel.
Manufactured by the "No Name Bearing and Noodle Company - China". #@$%!

No problem and thanks for the work you are doing pushing S/B.

Nick